Boat drag



Dec. 24, 1968 F. F. FISHER 3,417,725

BOAT DRAG Filed July 10, 1967 INVENTOR FRANK F. FISHER BY flu ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,417,725 BOAT DRAG Frank F. Fisher, 14111 Sussex, Detroit, Mich. 48227 Filed July 10, 1967, Ser. No. 652,274 7 Claims. (Cl. 114209) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a so-called sea anchor or boat drag which will hereinafter be termed a boat drag adapted to be secured to the bow of a boat in rough seas to orient the boat perpendicular to waves with the boat heading into waves to allow the boat to more successfully ride out the rough seas and to slow drifting of the boat and refers more specifically to such a boat drag having separable float and drag units with the drag unit including a drag bag and drag line parts wherein the separated float unit and drag unit are capable of serving as a life preserver and utility cover respectively and the units assembled are capable of serving as a boat cushion or as an auxiliary life preserver. The deployed drag unit may also serve as a signal. In addition the drag bag of the drag unit is so formed as to be maintained substantially vertical in the water and to dig deeper into the water on movement of the boat to which the sea anchor or boat drag is secured and the drag lines connected to the drag bag are unitary at each end of the drag bag.

Background of the invention The US. Coast Guard has released a report commenting on the fact that one thousand three hundred sixty persons died in boating accidents during the year of 1965. The report indicated the belief of the Coast Guard that eighty-nine percent of the deaths could have been prevented had the victims worn life-saving devices recommended by the Coast Guard or had such devices been in easy reach when conditions became hazardous.

From the latter statement it appears that many victims of boating accidents are not aware of the seriousness of their situation until too late. Also, it appears that victims often have no ready means at hand for improving their precarious position.

Examples of innocent appearing happenings are numerous on the Great Lakes when disabled sail or motor boats drift helplessly and broadside before strong Winds and high seas. Sudden squalls or big waves not at all uncommon on the Great Lakes are apt to capsize such A boats and spill their occupants into raging waters leaving boat and occupants to an uncertain fate.

The crews of small vessels caught in a perilous situation usually have no means at hand or available to prevent calamity. Often no help is in sight. Large merchant ships drifting under similar circumstances manage to survive bad storms by the use of a so-called sea anchor or boat drag usually improvised from tarpaulins, wood and spars.

A similar device but ready-made and adapted to the needs of smaller vessels is believed to till a need for safer boating. That is, a small device designed to prevent the foundering of boats disabled or in distress in open waters as well as contribute in other ways to boating safety is desirable.

Summary of the invention The proposed device is a boat drag having float and drag units with the drag unit including a drag bag and drag lines. The drag unit is separably secured to the to the float unit.

In an emergency the boat drag is secured to the boat Patented Dec. 24, 1968 bow mooring line by a single drag line connection and is fed overboard.

The ensuing resistance to being dragged through the water at the boats usual higher drifting speed will then cause the boat to swing around and head into the' wind and waves. In this manner the boat will be able to ride out most any emergency in comparative safety at the same time the drifting speed of the helpless boat is slowed considerably, a feature that is greatly appreciated should the boat happen to be near a breakwater or other unfriendly shore.

The boat drag of the invention would complement the present conventional life-saving equipment. Thus, besides being a boat drag, itmay be used as a life preserver or a signal unit.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a boat drag constructed in accordance with the invention secured to the bow of a boat.

FIGURE 2 is a view of the rear and one end of the boat drag illustrated in FIGURE 1 showing the float and drag units assembled.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the rear and one end of the float and drag units of the boat drag illustrated in FIG- URE l separated for separate use as a life preserver and utility cover.

FIGURE 4 is a view of the rear and one end of the boat drag illustrated in FIGURE 1 showing the drag unit assembled with the float unit and wrapped therearound for use as a boat cushion or as an auxiliary life preserver.

Description of the preferred embodiment As indicated above the boat drag 10 illustrated best in FIGURE 1 is made as useful and versatile as possible. It consists of two separate units normally secured together in a quick detachable manner. As shown the separate units are the float unit 12 and the drag unit 14. The drag unit 14 includes the drag bag 16 and the drag lines 18 and 20.

When separated the units 12 and 14 in a manner best suited to the occasion are available for other purposes. For example, the float and drag units 12 and 14 can assist in the saving of individuals, the salvaging of damaged boats and in other work within their capacity.

Thus the whole boat drag 10, including both the float unit 12 and the drag unit 14, can be rolled together to form a cushion or an auxiliary life preserver as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Alternatively the separated float unit 12, shown detached in FIGURE 3, may be used as a life preserver.

The float unit 12 is buoyant and preferably either of the kapok or the automatic gas filling type. Thus in order to furnish additional life-saving protection it is perfectly capable of keeping a person afioat for several hours or more.

The drag bag 16 of the drag unit 14 is made of waterproof flexible material formed into a desired shape. As shown in FIGURE 1, the drag bag 16 is V-shaped and is closed by triangular shaped portions 24 and 26 at the ends thereof. In order that it retain the shape shown when immersed the lower edge 22 of the drag bag 16 is reinforced. Thus, the shape of the drag bag 16 is such that it tends to dive deeper when dragged through the water.

The top edge of the drag bag 16 is removably fastened to the float unit 12. As shown the fastening means is a zipper 17 but could be buttons, snaps or other convenient fastening means. In order that the drag bag 16 retain its design shape when immersed by larger boats, the joint formed by the zipper 17 should be reinforced in order to better withstand the stresses imposed upon the drag.

Both sides of the drag bag 16 carry large and conspicuous S.O.S. markings which when displaying to passing ships or overhead airplanes indicate that the craft is in trouble and in need of help. The 8.05. is a positive signal understood and respected by all concerned. On the other hand the usual frantic waving and shouts for help by occupants of boats in distress are often mistakenly disregarded because they are believed to convey friendly greetings instead of calls for help. As a result the succor needed is not forthcoming.

The drag lines 18 and 20 provided at the opposite ends of the drag bag 16 are of a length and are so proportioned as to keep the drag bag in a vertical or near vertical position when the boat drag is in use. Each drag line 18 and 20 is continuous around the end of the drag bag 16 and has a loop at each end theerof. The loops in the ends of the drag lines 18 and 20 permit a quick connection of the boat drag 10 with the releasable hook 28 on the bow mooring line of an endangered boat 11.

Since smaller vessels usually carry but little running gear, the addition of a boat drag 10 is believed to greatly improve the boats life-saving facilities. For example, the drag line loops furnish excellent handholds for victims clinging to the sides of or to partially submerged boats. The drag lines may also be used to secure persons in danger of being swept away. Also, the drag unit 14 may be used to save boat and crew by covering or plugging holes or bad leaks in the boats hull occasioned by collision or other mishap.

When ship crews have to abandon disabled ships in stormy weather, the hardest task of crews manning the lifeboats is to keep the boats from being swamped. About the only chance for their survival lies in their ability to keep the bow heading into the wind and stormy seas. This requires good seamanship and is a difficult task, especially for an inexperienced or exhausted crew.

A boat drag however constructed in accordance with the invention would assume most of the crews work automatically as the buoyant boat drag enables the endangered boat to rise with and to meet the oncoming waves head-on without damage to the boat or injuries to its occupants. Its use is therefore believed to be capable of saving many such boats and their crews from certain disaster.

The suggestion relating to increased lifeboat safety is also applicable to the modern rubber life-rafts. The involuntary occupants of the life-rafts usually manage to get along fairly well in fair weather and smooth seas. In stormy weather however the pitching and gyrating of these crafts does not contribute to the well being or safety of castaways.

It is believed that an appropriate boat drag constructed in accordance with the invention can steady such craft to an extent that will make this ordeal more bearable and much safer for the rafts occupants. Consequently their chances for an early rescue and an eventual survival will be greatly enhanced.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A sea anchor or boat drag comprising a float unit, a drag unit, zipper means secured to the float unit and drag unit for releasably securing the drag unit to the float unit and means connected to the drag unit for securing the drag unit to the bow of a boat in spaced relation thereto.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the float unit is an elongated member suitable for use as an auxiliary cushion and life preserver.

3. Structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drag unit includes a canvas drag bag and is suitable for use as a utility cover.

4. Structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the float unit is elongated, the drag bag is flexible, elongated in the direction of the elongation of the float unit and has substantially the same V-shaped cross section transverse of the float unit along the entire length thereof.

5. Structure as set forth in claim 4 and further including portions at both ends of the drag bag triangular in shape closing the ends of the drag bag.

6. Structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the drag unit to the bow of a boat comprises drag lines extending from the opposite ends of the drag unit at the top and bottom of the drag unit to an apex in the direction of the boat, the drag lines at each end ofthe drag unit are continuous so that only one drag line is provided at each end of the drag unit and the drag lines are terminated in loops at the ends thereof.

7. A sea anchor or boat drag comprising an elongated float unit, a flexible drag bag elongated in the same dimension as the float unit and having substantially the same V-shaped cross 'iection transverse of the float unit over the entire length thereof and portions at both ends of the drag bag triangular in shape closing the ends of the drag bag, zipper means secured to the float unit and drag unit for releasably securing the drag unit to the float unit and means connected to the drag unit for securing the drag unit to the bow of a boat in spaced relation thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 332,898 12/1885 Hart 114-209 2,785,646 3/1957 Meyer 114--209 TRYGVE M. BLIX, Primary Examiner. 

